A SHOCKING Met Police job advert from the 1930s has resurfaced, wherein the force was seeking “hefty girls” to join their ranks.
The job listing, which appeared in a newspaper nearly a century ago, is packed to the brim with “rampant sexism” and dated expectations of candidates.
The ad sought women who were “fairly good looking” and “hefty enough to withstand ‘rough and tumble’” – but threatened job loss for any woman who got married whilst in the role.
Unearthed yesterday, the job opportunity was shared online where it left Brits shocked and chuckling at the out of touch nature of the ad.
Printed on the pages of a newspaper in large black lettering, the ad is simply headlined: “They mustn’t marry.”
Below that in larger lettering the bizarre job advertisement reads in all capitals: “Hefty girls wanted for police force.”
It goes on to explain: “Women with brains plus good physique are wanted. The pay and prospects are good. But they must never marry or their career will end.”
More details about the shocking job requirements and role state that Sir Phillip Game, Met Police chief commissioner and Miss Peto, chief of the women’s branch, are looking to hire the potential candidates.
The two senior members of Met Police staff made their appeal to “spinsters and widows, girls in universities and public schools and girls with training in nursing and social work.”
The bizarre, out of touch, job advertisement then makes it clear that married women needn’t waste their time applying.
It also reiterates another requirement for potential candidates, in large, bold lettering, stating: “They must be hefty.”
The pay for the role is then revealed, with the lucky candidates treated to a weekly wage of 53 shillings and 3 pence per week – which works out at around £156 in 2024.
Shockingly after providing a list of the compensations for the role, consisting of good pay and access to accommodation, the ad continues to make bizarre demands of the candidates.
The job ad then lists that applicants should be: “At least five feet four inches high. They must be hefty enough to withstand ‘rough and tumble’ and they must be fairly good looking.”
The seriously out of date job advertisement was shared to social media yesterday with the caption: “Hefty girls wanted for police force (must be fairly good looking). London Metropolitan Police, 1930s.”
The post has received over 2,200 likes and more than 185 comments from social media users taken aback by the weird ad.
One user said: “Looks like I’m joining the force.”
Another wrote: “Other than the rampant sexism in the article I’m going to assume that the marriage ban is specifically to avoid having pregnant women risking themselves.”
A third joked: “Wild that the police force invented a time machine all that time ago and only ever used it to travel to 2024 to steal my Tinder profile.”
Another quipped: “If you’re a woman of heft help us reduce theft.”
A fifth replied: “They really were the good old days, who wouldn’t want to work with an attractive, hefty spinster.”
